Fireworks, flair and firsts, DP World ILT20 Season 4 delivered a finale to remember as the Desert Vipers lifted their maiden title, crushing MI Emirates by 46 runs at a packed Dubai International Stadium.

While the trophy glittered, the spotlight also shone brightly on the league’s iconic signature belts, with star performances keeping fans guessing right up to the final ball.

Leading the charge was Desert Vipers captain Sam Curran, who produced a season for the ages, sweeping both the Red Belt (Most Valuable Player) and the Green Belt (Best Batter). Calm under pressure and devastating with the bat, Curran’s unbeaten 74 in the final sealed the Vipers’ historic triumph and underlined his status as the league’s standout performer.

The Vipers walked away not just with silverware but a $700,000 winners’ purse and the Black Belt, while runners-up MI Emirates earned $300,000 for another strong campaign.

Red Belt: Sam Curran (Desert Vipers)

Curran piled up 397 runs, while snapping seven wickets, taking 10 catches and finishing with a tournament-high 691 points. It was dominance, delivered with leadership.

Green Belt: Sam Curran (Desert Vipers)

With 397 runs at a strike rate of 135, Curran topped the batting charts, smashing 17 sixes and proving clutch when it mattered most.

White Belt: Waqar Salamkheil (Dubai Capitals)

Spin wizard Waqar Salamkheil claimed the bowling honours with 18 wickets at an economy of 7.66, earning his second White Belt in ILT20 history.

Blue Belt: Muhammad Waseem (MI Emirates)

UAE stalwart Muhammad Waseem continued his incredible run, securing the Blue Belt for a fourth straight season after scoring 370 runs at a strike rate of 132.

With unforgettable moments, top performances, and a champion crowned, DP World ILT20 Season 4 once again proved why it’s one of the most exciting T20 leagues in the world of cricket.

The Desert Vipers etched their name into DP World ILT20 history on Sunday night, lifting their first-ever league title after a commanding 46-run victory over MI Emirates at a packed Dubai International Stadium.

Led by an outstanding all-round performance from captain Sam Curran, the Vipers posted a competitive 182 for 4 before bowling MI Emirates out for 136 in 18.3 overs to seal the crown emphatically.

Curran starred with an unbeaten 74 off 51 balls, laced with eight fours and two sixes, anchoring the innings after early wickets. He found solid support from Max Holden (41) and Dan Lawrence (23) as the Vipers finished strongly in the death overs.

In response, MI Emirates never truly found momentum. The Vipers’ bowlers struck early and often, with Naseem Shah (3/18) setting the tone, while Usman Tariq (2/20) and Khuzaima Tanveer (2/22) applied the squeeze through the middle overs. David Payne’s late three-wicket burst shut the door on any hopes of a comeback.

The final was preceded by a spectacular pre-match build-up, featuring a dazzling fireworks display and a choreographed drone show that lit up the Dubai skyline, creating a carnival atmosphere befitting the season’s biggest night.

Curran capped off a dream tournament by claiming both the Red Belt (Most Valuable Player) and Green Belt (Best Batter) awards. He finished the season with 397 runs, three half-centuries, seven wickets and 10 catches, underlining his influence throughout the campaign.

MI Emirates showed brief resistance through Shakib Al Hasan (36) and Kieron Pollard (28), but early wickets and mounting required run rates proved too much to overcome.

With the win, the Desert Vipers walked away with the $700,000 winner’s prize and the Black Belt, while MI Emirates earned $300,000 as runners-up.

Speaking after the match, Curran said the title was a reward for consistency:

“We’ve been the most consistent team this season and I think we deserve the trophy. Finals bring nerves, but the group showed real character tonight.”

MI Emirates skipper Kieron Pollard admitted his side fell short on the night: “We weren’t sharp enough early on. In finals, those small moments make the difference. The Vipers deserved to win.”

MI Emirates booked their place in the DP World ILT20 Season 4 final with a commanding seven-wicket win over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in Qualifier 2 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday night.

A disciplined bowling performance, led by Allah Ghazanfar’s three-wicket haul, set the platform before a calm and clinical chase guided by Shakib Al Hasan and Tom Banton sealed the deal with plenty to spare. The win sets up a blockbuster final against Desert Vipers on January 4 at the Dubai International Stadium.

Asked to bat first, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders never truly found momentum. Early pressure from the MI Emirates bowlers paid off immediately, with Michael Pepper run out in just the second over after a sharp direct hit from Andre Fletcher. Brandon McMullen followed soon after, trapped LBW, as the Knight Riders stumbled through the powerplay.

Boundaries were hard to come by on a testing surface, and the squeeze tightened when Liam Livingstone miscued a shot in the seventh over. Despite brief resistance from Alex Hales and Alishan Sharafu, the Knight Riders struggled to build partnerships as MI Emirates’ spinners controlled the middle overs.

Sharafu stood firm amid the collapse, playing a composed unbeaten knock of 50 off 40 balls, but wickets continued to fall at the other end. Ghazanfar returned late to deliver the decisive blows, removing Jason Holder and Sunil Narine in the same over to leave the Knight Riders restricted to 120 for eight, a total that always looked below par in a knockout contest.

Chasing 121 for a spot in the final, MI Emirates got off to a cautious start as Abu Dhabi Knight Riders searched for early breakthroughs. Andre Fletcher fell cheaply, and the pressure remained during the powerplay with runs coming at a steady but controlled pace.

Tom Banton anchored the innings, absorbing pressure before shifting gears at the right moment. After Muhammad Waseem’s dismissal, Shakib Al Hasan joined Banton and turned the match firmly in MI Emirates’ favour. The experienced all-rounder attacked the spinners, picking boundaries with ease and rotating the strike efficiently.

The pair stitched together an 82-run partnership that effectively ended the contest. Banton brought up his half-century in measured fashion, while Shakib played the perfect supporting role, ensuring there were no late surprises.

MI Emirates crossed the line in the 17th over, completing the chase with 23 balls to spare and confirming their second appearance in an ILT20 final.

Player of the Match Shakib Al Hasan credited the bowlers for setting the tone, saying the early wickets made the chase far more manageable. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders skipper Jason Holder admitted his side struggled to adapt to the conditions but praised his team’s overall campaign.

With confidence high and momentum firmly on their side, MI Emirates now turn their focus to the showdown against Desert Vipers, with the Season 4 title firmly within reach.